§ 38. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he has received during the last three years the records of the joint Court established under the provisions of the condominium in the New Hebrides; if so, whether he will publish the same; (2) whether he has received a Report on the conditions of labour on the Stewart and Wright plantation made by the labour inspector at the instance of Mr. Mahaffy, the Acting Resident Commissioner of the New Hebrides, in February, 1913; whether he will publish the same; and (3) whether he cabled to the British resident at Vila, in the New Hebrides, directing that the Rev. Dr. Campbell Nicholson, a British subject, should apologise to the French Commandant Rogue; and whether Dr. Nicholson's only action consisted in resisting an attempt at an illegal raid by French officers on his station on the island of Tanna?
Mr. HARCOURTI have received reports from time to time upon the work of the joint Court, but I am not at present prepared to publish them. 1338 I have received the report to which the hon. Gentleman refers in question No. 39, but I do not propose to publish it at present at all events.
The incident referred to in question No. 40, has formed the subject of discussion with the French Government, and I do not consider it desirable to make any statement with regard to it at present.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSAre we not entitled to see the public records of a public Court in one of our Colonies? They are public records.
Mr. HARCOURTI am not sure that they are public records. I would not wish to dispute the right of the House at the present time to see the records. All I say is that I am not prepared at present.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIf the House desires to see these public records, can it not see them when it desires, and not when the right hon. Gentleman desires?
Mr. HARCOURTProbably, if there was a right. I did not admit the right. But there is no doubt that at some time or other I shall be able.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the third of my questions which relates to the action of the right hon. Gentleman in ordering a British subject to apologise?
Mr. HARCOURTThe incident has formed the subject of discussion with the French Government. I do not consider it desirable to make any statement with regard to it at present.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMeantime, will the right hon. Gentleman not send out any further instructions to this British Commissioner to apologise to the French commander?
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIf I raise the question on the Adjournment on Wednesday night, will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to deal with it?
Mr. HARCOURTI am bound to say on my responsibility that it would be contrary to the public interest to discuss this matter at the present moment.